The Clever Carrot

Hello! I'm Emilie, the writer of the popular book: Artisan Sourdough Made Simple. I love baking bread, making pasta, and I have a deep passion for traditional Italian recipes. Join me in the kitchen! Learn more here: about Emilie.

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Simple Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Cake With Olive Oil

5 days ago | theclevercarrot.com | Emilie Raffa

Olive oil keeps this simple blueberry lemon ricotta cake soft and moist—ready in under 1 hour with just 20 minutes of prep. Learn how to make this recipe, step-by-step. It took me forever to get this recipe right. And by “just right” I mean: not-too-sweet, not-too-damp with a soft interior crumb (ricotta is notorious for making cakes soggy). The secret is using room temperature ingredients. You’ve probably heard this tip before in baking– but do you actually do it? In this recipe, it’s crucial.
Creamy Sourdough Basque Cheesecake {Same Day Or Overnight}

1 month ago | theclevercarrot.com | Emilie Raffa

This creamy, 5-ingredient sourdough Basque cheesecake recipe is made with cream cheese, sugar, eggs, heavy cream and sourdough discard (or active sourdough starter if you prefer). It’s baked without a crust in an 8-inch springform pan. Baking at a high temperature of 425 F is the Basque cheesecake’s signature move: it creates a golden brown top, a mousse-like texture around the edges, and a light and creamy center. No water bath required.
Soul Warming, One-Pot Pasta E Fagioli (Pasta & White Bean Soup)

Jan 18, 2025 | theclevercarrot.com | Emilie Raffa

This hearty, one-pot pasta and white bean soup is different than most recipes. It’s made with fresh cherry tomatoes (instead of canned) which lightens and brightens the taste. Use my Italian-style vegetable stock and buttery home-cooked white beans for the ultimate comfort food experience. Pasta e fagioli or “pasta and beans” in Italian is a humble, peasant-style recipe from the cucina povera (Italian poor kitchen). It’s made with creamy white beans, tomato and pasta.
How To Cook Perfectly Tender Dried White Beans From Scratch

Jan 11, 2025 | theclevercarrot.com | Emilie Raffa

In this post, you’ll learn my simple, straightforward method for cooking dried white beans- Great Northern or Cannellini beans- on the stovetop. Soak overnight (or use the 1 hour fast-soak option!). Baking soda, just a pinch, guarantees a super tender texture every time. If you’re new to cooking beans from scratch, welcome. It will change your life. For reference, I have nothing against canned beans- we use them all the time.
Homemade Italian-Style Vegetable Stock

Jan 5, 2025 | theclevercarrot.com | Emilie Raffa

This homemade vegetable stock recipe uses onions, carrots, celery & fresh herbs to start, plus a wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano (the rind only) to elevate the taste. Use for soups, stews and risotto. Vegetable stock was never my thing. Chicken stock was always my go-to, homemade or store-bought- it didn’t really matter. To me, the flavor was superior.
No-Roll Sourdough Discard Biscuits with Cheddar & Scallions

Nov 9, 2024 | theclevercarrot.com | Emilie Raffa

In this post, you’ll learn how to make my master recipe for homemade sourdough discard biscuits, with step-by-step instructions & video. Here, I’m featuring them with cheddar cheese and scallions for a tasty twist! Adapted from my easy, no-roll sourdough scones recipe, these savory sourdough discard biscuits feature the same golden tops, a tender “all-butter” interior and a splash of chilled buttermilk to elevate the taste.
Cozy Italian Wedding Soup With Tiny Chicken Meatballs

Oct 26, 2024 | theclevercarrot.com | Emilie Raffa

This easy, Italian soup recipe is made with escarole, white beans, and homemade tiny chicken meatballs simmered with fresh rosemary and bay leaves in a light and flavorful broth. The meatballs can be made ahead of time; up to 3 days in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer. For timing, this soup is broken down into 3 simultaneous steps: making the meatballs, simmering the soup, and cooking the pasta. Everything happens at once.
Best-Ever Italian Lentil Soup

Oct 19, 2024 | theclevercarrot.com | Emilie Raffa

This Italian lentil soup comes together in 1 hour, thanks to fast cooking green lentils- no overnight soaking required. Fresh tomatoes brighten the thick and hearty broth, while a unique bundle of fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, bay leaf and mint) elevates the flavor. Recipe adapted from Cucina Povera by, Giulia Scarpaleggia. Below are a few ingredient brands, tips & recommendations:Carrots: Buy the ones with the leafy green tops still attached (not the ones in the bag). They’re milder and sweeter.
Go-To Italian Minestrone Soup

Oct 11, 2024 | theclevercarrot.com | Emilie Raffa

My easy, Italian-style minestrone soup recipe is made with seasonal vegetables, fennel, rosemary, white beans and leafy greens simmered to perfection in a light and delicate tomato broth. My secret? I use a vegetable chopper to cut my prep work in half. It’s a soup season staple!What I love about minestrone soup, is that every recipe is different. There’s no set way to make it. That’s the draw. The idea is to use fresh, seasonal ingredients and make it your own. What makes my recipe unique?
Soft & Chewy Sourdough Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Sep 22, 2024 | theclevercarrot.com | Emilie Raffa

These soft, homemade sourdough oatmeal raisin cookies are made with tangy sourdough starter, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins. The secret is to chill the dough for 1 hour (or more) for crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, bakery-style cookies. This recipe was inspired by Love & Lemons perfect oatmeal cookie recipe, which is delightful.